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Ranjit Singh’s bust installed in France; Gift from Punjab Govt

The bust of great Sikh warrior Maharaja Ranjit Singh was unveiled at Allard Square of St Tropez in France Saturday evening in a military ceremony.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had handed over the bust to French ambassador to India, Alexander Ziegler, during the latter’s visit to Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh in July this year.

In the ceremony organised by Sikh de France, an organisation representing Sikhs living in France, the bust was installed at St Tropez, the birthplace of French warrior General Jean Franquis Allard who served in Maharaja’s army.

General Allard was one of the most trusted warrior generals of the Maharaja and played a key role in modernising the Sikh army at par with European standards.

The ceremony was well-attended by French officials, India’s former chief of Army, General JJ Singh, Indian ambassador to France Mohan Kumar and Ludhiana resident Harjinder Singh Kukreja among others.

The project was personally supervised by St Tropez Mayor Jean-Pierre Tuveri and his deputy Henri Prevost Allard who were given a proposal by Sikhs to pay tribute to the Maharaja and get his bust installed.

A military guard of honour was given to the Sikh warrior before unveiling of the bust.

Speaking to The Indian Express over phone, Ranjit G Singh, director, public affairs, Representative Council of Sikhs France, said, “It was an honour for us to get Sikh warrior’s statue installed here in France. General Allard though born in St Tropez was buried in Lahore. He was one of the most trusted general of Maharajas’ army and trained Sikh soldiers. His grandson Henri Prevost Allard is now the deputy Mayor of St Tropez.”

Nearly three feet tall and weighing 110 kg, the bust is said to be made of bronze by famous sculptor Prabhat Rai of Madhya Pradesh.